Images via WWD.com

I have such a difficult time thinking of Lacoste as a fashion brand. These pictures of the Lacoste Spring 2012 from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York clearly indicate that the company wants to continue to capitalize on its polo shirt popularity to move into something more sophisticated and chic, which is an ambition I can appreciate.

This collection is as good a continuation of that ambition as you could expect, but it still felt a tad stunted to me. The color palette was limited and there was little print in a fashion atmosphere that’s currently embracing both, which feels like an opportunity that Lacoste left on the table. That’s not to say that there’s much to be gained in chasing trends just for the sake of chasing them, but a more adventurous outing would serve the brand well in its bid to move beyond polo shirts in the consciousness of fashion customers. As it was, the few pieces that featured geometric patterns were a standout.

Images via WWD

Most fashion watchers have mental lists of designer that we don’t think get enough credit, and these pictures of Cynthia Rowley Spring 2012 from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York should say a lot about why Rowley has been on mine for some time. Sure, her aesthetic might nor be particularly innovative, but Rowley does a masterful job of making pretty, feminine clothes that don’t cross the line into twee or sacharine territory.

Towing that line isn’t simple, but the mixed florals on a background of black or ivory that constitute the overarching element of this collection are anything but obvious. The emphasis on structure amid the patterns makes the frocks feel modern where they might otherwise veer to the predictable, and the balance creates a line full of relevant, smart clothes for a girl who takes pleasure in being feminine. Dare I say that a few of the dresses felt a bit like Oscar de la Renta for a younger audience?

All photos via WWD.com

Holy 1980s prints, PurseBloggers. Nicole Miller Spring 2012 had them in spades during her showing this evening at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, and when you think about the timeline of Miller’s company, it makes sense. She got her start during the 80s heyday, and her collection for spring seemed to be a wall-to-wall homage to that.

As with any designer that chooses a very strong visual idea, some pieces will be hits and others will be misses. Miller’s prints and neons (and printed neons) played best when the shapes were modern; when both the garments’ structures and colors were retro, the theme went a bit too far. The entire collection was a lot of fun to watch, though, even if maximalist color and pattern aren’t your look.

Judith Leiber is one of those brands that you don’t often see at a big discount. Leiber’s tiny, sparkly evening bags are a favorite of collectors and hold a special place in the heart of so many bag owners that seasonal discounts are often unnecessary; one of her bags is like dessert after a steady diet of functional, durable leather bags.

That’s why the Judith Leiber sale at Gilt Groupe is all the more exciting – these are some seriously good prices on some incredibly special bags. My favorite is at top right, the one with the large, lovely, emerald-cut multichrome crystals. Check out the entire selection via Gilt Groupe, but don’t delay – the sale ends tomorrow.

All photos via WWD.com

As I sat watching the looks from Tadashi Shoji Spring 2012 waft by (and they definitely wafted, just look at them), I couldn’t get the phrase “garden wedding” out of my head. Shoji’s collection isn’t bridal, it’s ready-to-wear, but I can’t help but think that there are wonderful spring wedding frocks in this set of dresses for everyone from brides to bridesmaids to guests.

I doubt that Shoji would balk at the suggestion, because he surely knew that doing a collection full of floor-length gowns in light neutrals and cocktail-length dresses in spring brights and prints would call to mind April nuptials in lush, verdant surroundings. If you know someone who’s getting married next year, take note of this collection. Even more so if you’re a slightly nontraditional bride; the white, nude and pale silver dresses aren’t classic bridal, but they’d be perfect for a modern woman. Highlights, as always, are after the jump.

All photos via Style.com

Because BCBB Max Azria is a brand that’s so widely carried an advertised, most of us probably have some preconceived notions about what the brand’s collections will look like: pretty, contemporary, wearable. While those adjectives translate into strong retail sales, they can sometimes make for a forgettable runway, which is a problem for a collection that’s shown so early in the show season. For Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring 2012, though, Azria took a page from another New York designer, and I can’t help but feel a tad excited. These are not clothes I’ll forget by the end of the week.

Is it just me, or can you feel the specter of Proenza Schouler looming over this collection? And that’s meant in the best way possible; what we see here are edgy, modern clothes that don’t lose the wearability for which BCBG is known for even a second. The maxi dresses in particular, with their mix of patterns and solids, neutral and brights, will surely be a favorite by the time 2012′s warm season rolls around. A gallery of show highlights, after the jump.

Images via WWD

If you’ve done any shopping in the contemporary department of your local high-end department store in the past few years, then you’re probably well familiar with the slightly retro, very It Girl look of Vena Cava. The brand works brilliantly with off-kilter prints and vintage inspiration to create memorable clothes at a somewhat attainable price point, and according to Women’s Wear Daily, we’ll also be seeing handbags from the insider-favorite line in the near future.

During the designer’s presentation dinner a few days ago, the duo behind Vena Cava gave editors and buyers a little thrill by including bags, which they called “purposefully nondescript,” on the arms of their model-muses. There aren’t any detail shots just yet, but almost all of the lookbook outfits include bags, and it seems as though Vena Cava has the basis for a bright handbag future that will make the brand’s devotees very happy. The line will be priced from $275 to $550, and we have more photos after the jump.